Richland
RANK #467 / 996 NAT · #41 / 49 OH · POP 66,554
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Belmont County, Ohio, named for its "beautiful mountains" in French, is situated in the Appalachian foothills along the Ohio River, bordering West Virginia. The county seat, St. Clairsville, is a charming town, while Martins Ferry stands as the largest city. Interstate 70 runs through the county, offering connections to larger cities, though the average commute time for residents is around 25 minutes. The area is characterized by rolling hills, picturesque farmland, and mature woodlands, providing a backdrop for outdoor recreation. Dysart Woods, a 50-acre tract, features 400-year-old oak trees and is the largest remaining old-growth forest in southeastern Ohio. Barkcamp State Park offers camping, boating, fishing, and hiking around Belmont Lake.
Life in Belmont County often reflects a close-knit, small-town community feel, with many residents owning their homes. The economy is driven by manufacturing, healthcare, and a notable presence in the oil and gas sector, creating diverse job opportunities. Recent economic developments include expansions at an industrial park and new business growth in towns like Bellaire. Educational institutions include Ohio University's Eastern Campus and Belmont College. The county also boasts a lower violent crime and property crime rate compared to the state average, contributing to the overall quality of life.
Contracting economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Belmont County scores 53/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#467). Median household income is $56,943 and job growth is running at -1.8%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Belmont County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $130,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.44 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $754/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Both population (-0.8% YoY) and employment (-1.8%) are contracting in Belmont County, though housing tells its own story with values moving +2.8% over the past 12 months. This is a county where the trend lines are pointing in the wrong direction.
Not particularly — 1.88% of Belmont County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.